Ya know, I always have something planned to put up here... and never remember it *shrug*
Not an overly long chapter, but lots of fun! Promise~ And plenty of plot development, though it may not seem like it
Anyway, Enjoy~
The forest was silent, the season's first snow lazily shifting through the bare branches to dust the ground and hide the dried, fallen leaves. The smaller inhabitants had bedded down for the night as the moon rose high into the midnight sky, casting everything in shimmering shadow. Not a sound broke the calm and the light breeze only smelled of the cold weather and more snow; clean, crisp and peaceful.
Enjoying the quiet and increasingly rare solitude, the young she wolf's prints were the only marks to break the thin crust of white. Lilynette poked about through the new snow, her youth and curiosity making her restless while she was back in the den. Exploring their territory had never been off limits before, even when they were at odds with that cat. Now they were supposedly under a truce or agreement, she didn't really understand. But in her mind, that meant she should be able to wander where ever she liked, whether it be in Pack territory or the Pantera grounds, though she found that she had no desire to enter the feline's land any longer.
From the base of a tree nearby, a quick movement caught the young wolf's attention. She froze, sensitive ears perked and sharp vision zoning in on the nearly white rabbit tensed and staring back at her with wide, dark eyes. A slight tremor in the small creature's muscles had a happy, playful smile splitting the young wolf's maw as she sprang into action and gave chase, spraying snow and sliding on the slick, damp and dead leaves below.
She weaved around trees and jumped over low, still standing brush in an old and instinctive game of predator and prey. The rabbit, bounding strides propelling it as fast as it's little legs could go, ducked behind another tree and down a hole, out of harms way. Panting slightly from the short but fast paced burst of activity, Lilynette sniffed at the hole a little before shaking the light dusting of snow off her fur. She straightened and continued her exploring, rabbit forgotten as quickly as it had appeared.
"It's quite dangerous for a young pup like yourself to be wandering the forest alone"
Light colored eyes widened at the rough voice and her pleasant smile fell away. Lilynette spun about and bared her fangs at the traitorous male walking toward her through the dead forest. Ears pinned back, she snarled at the older wolf, her jaws snapping in threat. "And it's dangerous for you to be this close to Pack territory."
Baraggan's eyes narrowed at the she wolf. "Is that a threat, child? You know, being of Starrk's ilk will not save you out here. I bet the lazy mongrel doesn't even know you're missing." A cruel grin split the wolf's scarred lips. This could be the perfect opportunity to deal a real blow to Starrk and his Pack, even if it was just on an emotional level. The Alpha was always too protective and attached to the young she wolf, that was a weakness that the Alpha should have known he couldn't afford.
Lilynette growled but took an uncertain step away from the old male. He was right, Starrk didn't know she was missing. She was sick of being stuck in the den or being accompanied by her older sibling or his second at all times. She had snuck out while Starrk and Nnoitra were out scouting the opposite side of their territory, but the traitor didn't need to know that. "You better run while you have the chance. Do you really think Starrk would leave me out here by myself?"
The old male laughed, seeing the nervousness in her body language and the fear in her bright, magenta eyes. Taking another step forward, a cruel light shown in the creature's eyes and glinted from warn, yellowed but no less deadly fangs. The rogue male's laughter was cut short by a towering shadow darkening the snow and an all too familiar voice that promised a vicious fight and grievous wounds.
"She's right. Even if Starrk doesn't know she's missing, I do."
••••••
Renji dug out spare blankets and handed them over to the Caster as he turned from the closet in his hallway. "My place isn't as big as yours, but you guys make yourselves at home. There's the spare room and the sitting room couches, I'll let you figure the sleeping arrangements out."
A devious smirk stretched across Shiro's pale features but he stayed quiet when Ichigo shot him a look that dared him to open his mouth.
Renji glanced at the near-albino with a curious look but didn't ask. He knew enough to guess at the relationship between the twins and it only made sense that the feline was probably in the equation somewhere also. While it didn't bother him really, he still didn't need nor want confirmation of his suspicions. Their business was their own and he was fine keeping it that way.
"Thanks, Renji" The orange haired twin said, diverting his attention away from Shiro who was still grinning like the devil himself, mischief and mal-intent simmering in heated, golden orbs.
The red head smiled and pulled loose his long mane of wild hair as he headed further down the hall. It was nice having his friends over for a visit, and he was happy to see them smiling again. It seemed he had been right in thinking that getting them out of their house would do them some good. And since Rukia still hadn't showed up, he didn't have to worry about her doing or saying something she shouldn't. Renji had briefly wondered where she had gone, maybe her brother's again. Strangely, he found he didn't really mind her not being their. "No need. See you guys in the morning"
Shiro and Ichigo watched their friend's bedroom door close before they turned back toward the sitting room where their third person was still at, seemingly enjoying the quiet night.
"Ya comin' Grimm?" Shiro asked, his watery voice quiet in the still room. It wasn't the same, heavy silence that had enveloped their house before they had left to visit Renji, but rather a comfortable and companionable quiet.
Grimmjow looked away from the window, his brilliant blue eyes shining in the darkened room. He tilted his head slightly before a slight smile broke across full lips. "I'll join you later, I wish to explore your village while the humans sleep."
Ichigo frowned and started speak, questioning if that was a wise idea but a tug on his shirt had him looking over at his brother instead.
"Come on, King. Le' the man 'ave his fun, he hasn' been in a village in how long?" Shiro asked, liquid gold eyes darting from Grimmjow's form to sweep over the Caster's. "Sides, I got plans fer ya" The near-albino added with leering grin.
A smirk stretched across the feline's features as well and he hopped off the chair he had been perched in and sauntered over to the two men, the shorts they had thoughtfully brought along for him to change into after getting to Renji's riding low on his perfectly cut hips. He swiftly dipped and captured the Caster's lips with his own, pulling the man into a soul searing kiss. He grasped along the orangette's chin and swiped his tongue along the smaller man's button lip. Just as Ichigo opened up to allow him entrance, Grimmjow pulled away, dragging a breathy whine from the Caster. He leaned over to Shiro, soft lips ghosting across a pale ear as he whispered in a rumbling baritone to the man. "Have fun" He pulled back to smirk down at them again.
"Tha's jus' not even right" Shiro mumbled, his watery voice dropping to a husky rumble. He grabbed ahold of his King's hand again and dragged the man back down the hall toward the spare room they would be borrowing. He heard the bluenette chuckle before the front door was opened and the werecat disappeared into the cold, empty streets.
The pale man briefly wondered if the cat even bothered to throw on something warmer than the shorts he was wearing but decided he didn't care and quickly forgot about his concern altogether as he pinned Ichigo to the spare room's closed door. He pressed his face into the orangette's neck, nipping and kissing his way to his copy's jawline while his hands danced along the Caster's sides and hips.
"Sh...Shiro..." Ichigo breathed, shuddering as petal soft, white lips ghosted over every sensitive spot he had. He fisted one of his hands into the front of the near-albino's shirt trying to pull him closer as he moaned under his breath when a hot, wet tongue ran over the shell of his ear. Using his other hand, the Caster desperately sought out the knob to the door behind him that he was being pressed against. Somewhere in the back of his mind he registered that they were still in the hallway, right across from Renji's room and that the red head could walk out and find them at any time.
He finally found and twisted the handle as Shiro seized his lips in a bruising kiss to rival the one Grimmjow had placed upon them. The door was pushed open, their combined weights leaning against it to throw the door wide and bang into the wall behind it. The two men tumbled to the floor with a thud, but neither broke the kiss and Shiro grinned against Ichigo's lips.
An azure tongue swept across a full bottom lip, seeking entrance. Pink, kiss swollen lips parted to accommodate the muscle and tongues danced and played, fighting for dominance in an almost lazy way. The Caster hooked a lean, long leg around his twin's waist, grinding their quickly growing erections together and drawing a quiet moan from the pale man on top of him. Pale, warm hands pushed his shirt up, dancing over a lightly toned abdomen before finding and toying with the Caster's nipples.
Ichigo arched into the teasing hands of his copy, his needy moan quickly and eagerly swallowed as Shiro worked to draw more delicious sounds from the man.
The bedroom door across the hallway opened quietly on silent hinges. Renji rubbed at his eyes tiredly and peeked out, his upper body bare and his long hair cascading over his broad shoulders, hiding some of the elaborate ink that covered his body.
"Hey, are you guys...ooook then..." The red head jumped and averted his wide eyes as neither of the twins seemed to notice him. Carefully and quietly, he reached over and pulled the door to the spare room closed behind them, face red as he looked anywhere but the floor and tried not to hear the small sounds the two men made.
Ichigo tugged at white locks, pulling the elastic from Shiro's hair and letting it fall to cascade across his snowy shoulders and the floor around Ichigo's face. "Please...h...hurry, Shiro..." He gasped out, grinding his now painfully hard cock against his twin's hip through their pants. He felt the man's grin against the heated skin of his neck. Shiro was having way too much fun teasing him and Ichigo reached down between them to palm the man through his jeans, pleased when Shiro bucked into him at the light touch and released a ragged, almost desperate sound.
In a swift motion, Shiro pulled away from the floor, pulling the Caster with him and making the man throw his other leg around his waist as well in order not to fall. He guided them toward the bed, arms locked around Ichigo's back in a tight, possessive and comforting embrace.
The Caster was dropped to the bed, bouncing slightly as he watched Shiro pull his shirt over his head to expose his deliciously pale, muscled chest and torso. The orange haired twin followed suit, divesting himself of his shirt as Shiro crawled onto the bed to hover over him. The pale man lowered to kiss and lick at his copy's exposed stomach. Nimble, black nailed fingers worked the button and zipper of the Caster's tight pants as Shiro worked his way down the man's lithe abdomen with his lips and teeth, kissing and licking just to sink his teeth in and start all over again.
Ichigo panted and writhed under the man's ministrations, his impatience growing with his need. He wiggled his hips, helping Shiro pull his pants and boxers from his legs to be dropped on the floor. The Caster gasped as warm lips wrapped around the head of his leaking cock.
Shiro sucked him down, humming around the engorged flesh in delight. Thin fingers tangled through his long hair, gently pulling and tugging and urging him on as the Caster moaned and gasped. The sounds went straight to Shiro's already aching member and he had to fight not to pull away and fuck his King right then.
"Haa– Shiro..." Ichigo panted out around his sounds of pleasure. Pale hands held his hips from bucking. He fisted one of his hands in the sheets around him while his other toyed with his brother's flowing locks. The wet heat around his member was almost too much and not enough all at the same time. His breath hitched and he gasped as a warm, slick tongue circled the head before working along the underside as Shiro lowered back down and swallowed around him.
Shiro pulled away as the Caster's moaning voice began to take on a strangled edge. The act dragged a needy whine from the orange haired man and Shiro smirked as he yanked his own pants the rest of the way off. He turned back, noticing the door was already closed but didn't give it a second thought as he crawled between the more colorful man's legs.
He traced the crease between Ichigo's rounded cheeks and teased at his entrance with a slim finger. Ichigo wrapped an arm around the back of Shiro's neck and tugged him close, connecting their lips in a heated, messy kiss. He bit down on his brother's bottom lip as the teasing finger at his entrance gently eased it's way in.
A loud, low moan worked from his throat as Shiro slowly pumped his hand back and forth. "Shiro...m...more..." He moaned against the near-albino's ashen lips. He was rewarded with a second digit and sounds erupted anew from his throat at the intense pleasurable stretching.
"Fuck...King..." Shiro groaned out, his aching cock begged to be touched and demanding to dive into the inviting heat before him. Pulling away and out of Ichigo's arms, he leaned back on his knees and continued teasing and stretching the Caster. He pulled one of Ichigo's legs up over his shoulder, turning his head to place hot, open mouthed kisses on his inner thigh.
He pushed at Ichigo's other leg, further spreading them as he pulled his fingers from the man's entrance. Unable to deny the wanton whine that escaped King's lips, the near-albino rubbed the tip of his member against the man's all too enticing entrance.
Ichigo pushed back against his twin's member, forcing it passed the ring of tight muscle and into his passage. Deep, lust filled moans sounded from both mens' throats and Shiro slowly rocked forward, seating himself deep into the man's tight heat.
They paused, giving the Caster a moment to adjust while Shiro relished the tight, constricting feeling around his hard member.
"M...move...Shiro– please..." Ichigo moaned out his twin's name, head tilted back and eyes heavy lidded.
Shuddering in pleasure, Shiro slowly pulled back and thrust his hips flush with the Caster's again. The action earned him another lust heavy moan. Darkened, molten chocolate eyes were half mast as Ichigo stared up at his brother's angelic face, the bed creaking slightly in time to his thrusts.
Within moments, Shiro found a deep, brutal pace. His cock brushed across his King's prostate with deadly accuracy, pulling increasingly louder cries of pleasure from the Caster. He let Ichigo's leg drop from his shoulder and leaned forward, working one arm around behind his brother's neck while he leaned most of his weight on the other forearm beside the man's head. The near-albino, deep moans vibrating in his chest, locked the orange haired man into another messy kiss, quickly working his tongue between the man's parted lips.
Ichigo wasted no time in working his arms around Shiro's shoulders, one hand delving into the hair at the nape of his brother's neck. He held his copy close, intense pleasure building in his belly and pulsing before his vision.
"Sh...Shiro...so c...close..." He panted against the lily white lips connected to his own.
"Tha's it...King..." Shiro murmured back, still leaning over the Caster and thrusting with deep, even strokes. The heated passage hugging his cock constricted and a strangled moan passed the Caster's lips as he arched into Shiro's muscled, lithe body.
Hot, sticky strands of the Caster's release coated Shiro's toned abdomen. The man thrust a few more times, seating himself deep inside Ichigo as the spasming around his straining member pulled his own release from him.
"Kiiiing..." Shiro groaned out, resting his forehead on his twin's bare shoulder as he came. His panting breaths mixed with Ichigo's as they lay, still connected and rode out the last of their pleasurable euphoria.
After a moment, the pale man pulled out and collapsed to the bed beside Ichigo, leaving his head to rest comfortably on the Caster's tanned shoulder. Ichigo smoothed his beloved brother's tangled and mussed hair, gently running his fingers through the silky strands as they caught their breath.
"I love ya, Ichi, ya know tha' right?" The pale man asked, his voice tired and quiet in the now silent room.
A soft smile rested on Ichigo's lips as he let his eyes close, still stroking his brother's hair. "I know, Shiro... I love you too"
••••••
Snow crunched quietly underfoot; the only sounds made as the denizens of the small human village slept on. The occasional growling or barking of a dog, kept by the villagers for hunting and protection, would shatter the silence, only for the animal to catch a better whiff or sight and instantly cower, aggression forgotten as wariness and fear took it's place.
The light breeze pushed the snow around the streets, causing it to drift and swirl in little eddies around the buildings and quickly covering the large paw print like tracks left behind by the night's only visitor.
Staying mostly in the deeper shadows of alleys and near buildings, Grimmjow wandered the human village, his brilliant, inhuman eyes scanning and taking in everything in front of them.
The human civilization had changed so much over the decades. Magic was no longer a dominate and cherished art form but a rarity and a taboo that caused fear. Where once magic had ruled, science and technology were beginning to take over. Casters had become a scarce thing among men anymore, pushed into the background to fade from existence. Monsters, creatures like himself and the werewolves, their population's thinned by wars and hunting long ago, were now the thing of nightmares and bed time stories. The younger generations hardly even believed in them anymore. The only memories of when the creatures from the forest had lived in the open were found in the eldest of the human race, those who had been around to witness. Even those beings were becoming rare, succumbing to the human's short life span.
Of course, he had already known of most of the changes. No long living creature would be stupid enough to not keep tabs on the ever advancing human race. But even knowing of the advances didn't diminish the feline's curiosity as he padded through the streets on silent feet. Watching from afar was nothing akin to being able to explore up close and the werecat was throughly enjoying the opportunity, as much as he would probably deny it later.
Feline ears flicked about, catching nothing but the sound of wind as it whistled quietly through the deserted streets. His long, slim tail swayed in gentle, contented arcs behind him as Grimmjow rounded another building, careful to keep his senses opened and alert for any humans that he may find still out and about, though it hardly seemed likely anyone would still be awake, let alone outside in the frigid air. Horses from a near by stable snorted and stamped in their stalls as the gentle, snow laden breeze carried his sent toward them.
He sniffed around some of the buildings as he entered the market section of the village near the edge of town. A small shop with large front windows caught his eye so he wondered toward it, giving in to his curious nature and heritage. The scent of silver, strong and potent had his nostrils flaring and white, curved fangs bared for a second before Grimmjow flicked his ears in irritation and trotted away from the small building and it's offending smell.
Continuing to poke about the small village, he made his way toward the boundary, marked by a low wooden fence that one would see used to keep horses in a corral. He edged toward it and began following it, choosing a direction at random and unworried about loosing his way back to his humans' friend's house. It was impossible for the werepanther to loose his way with his keen senses to guide him. Grimmjow would be able to find the location centuries from now, even if the building no longer stood to mark where it had once been.
The snow drifted along the fence and the near by trees beyond it but the cold precipitation hardly bothered the feline as his long, muscled legs easily pushed through. The breeze, seeming as though it was trying to pick up in strength, lifted and blew the fluffy white snow around to swirl through the air around the werepanther. Grimmjow lifted his head into the breeze, letting his gorgeous blue eyes close and a small smile tilt his feline lips.
A distant sound rode the air, making his brow furrow ever so slightly and his head tilt, his moment of calm discarded. Keen ears strained and searched for more sounds, perked in the direction of the dangerous forest. A low, unmistakably canine growl cut through the trees and falling snow and Grimmjow bared his teeth in annoyance and anger. He started to continue on his way but only took a few steps before pausing. If it was a group of strays preparing to raid, he should probably put a stop to it. Plus, there was always the added bonus of filing his maw with bitter wolf's blood, something he almost never missed a chance at.
Mind made up, the feline easily leaped over the low fence and padded silently into the surrounding forest. Quiet words carried toward him, the voice gravely and rough, a distinct air of superiority in the muffled words. Grimmjow sneered and stalked toward the sounds. Now he really couldn't pass up the opportunity to kill a few wolves, knowing that the bastard male, Baraggan was leading them.
Another voice, this one female and much younger sounding had Grimmjow pausing before a silent sneer crossed his features. He huffed an irritated breath and took off in the direction of the voices. The skilled predator that he was, the werepanther made not a sound as his swift, sure strides devoured the snow covered ground. Sleek muscle rippled below shimmering, blue black fur, propelling him forward with unmatched grace and agility.
Grimmjow slowed his fast sprinting pace and trotted just as silently closer as the sounds grew louder. Hiding in the shadows of the bare trees, the cat easily sneaked toward the wolves undetected. Once the mongrels were in his line of sight, Grimmjow paused to assess the situation.
Baraggan unknowingly had his back turned toward the feline, a dangerous position that Grimmjow would be sure to exploit and take advantage of. Lilynette took a step away from the male, speaking in an unwavering and seemingly confident voice, but her eyes and posture gave her away. Even from his current distance, the werecat could tell she was lying about Starrk being near by.
"... Do you really think Starrk would leave me out here by myself?" the young she wolf bluffed, her eyes wide as she watched every move the rogue male made.
Grimmjow glanced around, searching for other strays. He found no signs; no moving shadows or hushed noises, nor a trace of musky canine scent rode the breeze. An idea came to him as he scanned the shadows. Easily making the vertical leap to the lower hanging branches of the tree he was crouched near, the cat scaled the leafless tree, his dark coat helping him blend in against the shadowed trunk.
With the perfect balance only a creature of feline decent could possibly master, Grimmjow easily traversed the thick branches near the center of the trees. He stalked forward, leaping the gaps between branches and carefully keeping his body weight from shaking the tree limbs too much, though the two wolves were probably too wrapped up in each other to take notice of whatever signs he may have given. A wicked grin curving his lips away from sharp teeth. Grimmjow made his way ever closer until his shadow, seemingly much too tall from being off the ground, crossed over the old male wolf's own.
Whatever the traitor had been about to say died in his throat as his head snapped toward the unexpected movement of the shadow. As the werewolf began to spin, searching out the unseen spectator, Grimmjow spoke.
"She's right. Even if Starrk doesn't know she's missing, I do." He let his voice take on a menacing, growling edge, revealing his position and nearly laughing at the look of surprise on the mutt's scarred up face. He was going to enjoy this.
A cruel, sneering smile marred the felines face and he pounced from his perch in the branches above. Lilynette let out a surprised yelp and scrambled backward, ducking behind a tree to watch as Baraggan spun about in attempt to defend against the descending panther.
Growling laughter shattered the silence as the wolf threw his arms up to intercept the worst of the werecat's cruel claws. Grimmjow's smaller weight was enough to throw the mutt to the ground and even though his outstretched arms were grasped and held away from the mongrel's flesh, his back legs kicked out, the recurved claws located on his hind feet just as vicious. Grimmjow snarled as the two creatures struck the ground, Baraggan grunting as three hundred pounds of furious cat landed atop him and began digging in before he had the chance to throw the cat off.
The only thing on the experienced old male's mind was the need to flee. He was much larger than the panther, undoubtedly stronger as well, but the conniving cat had taken him by surprise and was no push over under normal circumstances. The once-deidad was legendary for his ferocity and Baraggan had seen what the feline could do first hand once provoked. He had no desire to drag this out any longer than he had too, not yet at least. Lilynette's demise would have been a treat, but only a small victory and it wasn't worth his life.
The werewolf attempted to climb to his feet, grasping the feline's arms and snarling in his face. Cruel teeth snapped shut, mere centimeters from his snout. Baraggan jerked backward and away from the dagger like teeth in his face, his ears flattening.
Grimmjow let a deranged smile curl his lips as he snarled and hissed at the wolf. His jaws were so close to the mongrel's snout that he could have licked him if he tried. It was a tempting thought, but he really didn't care for wolf fur. Snarling in fury, Grimmjow redoubled his struggling. He had a vendetta to settle after all and he would have fun with his revenge. He yanked his arms from the mutt's grasp and struck out. A hard shot slammed into the wolf's abdomen before Grimmjow let his claws shred down the flesh of the mutt's belly.
Baraggan yelped and pulled away, out of the cat's reach but he knew better than to turn his back. Ears flattened back against his skull and teeth bared, he tried to come up with a way to retreat without being shredded in the process. He would have to inflict enough damage to stun the creature long enough to allow him to flee.
The wolf jumped back in and Grimmjow side stepped, avoiding the main attack. As he rounded toward the wolf again, the werepanther pounced and sank his teeth deep into the back of the beast's neck, squeezing, constricting, tearing and shredding, hoping to feel his fangs grind against the mongrel's spine.
The rogue male howled and clawed at the feline, trying to dislodge the cat before he could do any permanent damage. Claws raked against the muscle of his back and shoulders, holding the feline firmly in place. His searching hands brushed warm fur and Baraggan eagerly sank his own claws in, feeling them puncture before he latched on and shredded.
With a short yelp, Grimmjow unlatched his jaws and swiveled his ears back, feeling the extra movement from the one the mutt had managed to tear through. Rage surged through his body and flooded his vision. Using his hind legs and one hand to hold himself in place upon the mutt's broad back, much the way a human would cling to a mountain, Grimmjow tore the claws of his right hand out of wolf flesh and sent several concussive hits to the wolf's ribcage.
His tail lashed out in angry swipes behind him as he snarled and growled, ears pinned back and eyes ablaze. This mutt deserved to die for so many things. He had murdered a human child and her family in cold blood, put his befriended humans and lovers in danger, threatened his own life, the mutt was trying to over throw Starrk. Adding endangering Lilynette, the Alpha's sibling, his new ally's sibling, to the list was only icing on the already rich cake.
Baraggan snarled and grunted around the strong blows to the side of his ribcage. He staggered backward, spinning as he tried to reach the smaller creature attacking him. He slammed against a tree, using all his strength and weight. He was rewarded with hearing a satisfying thump and gasp as the feline's claws retracted and the air left the cat's lungs.
As the large wolf took a step forward and pulled away, Grimmjow slid down to the base of the tree, chest heaving to force air into his stunned lungs, a grimace upon his features. He hissed and scrambled to his feet as the big mutt came back in swinging. A heavy fist landed on his shoulder as he turned and tried to dodge but Grimmjow was no novice to fighting. He rolled with the hit and let it push him rather than resist what could have been a potentially serious hit and wound, only taking a minimal amount of damage for his quickness and instinctive reactions.
The werepanther sprang back to his feet as he completed his role and planted his weight and momentum, diving back in and eagerly sinking his teeth into the arm that was thrown up to block his attack. The bigger wolf staggered under the force of his lunge as bitter, hot fluids seeped into this mouth and filled his senses, trickling down his chin and staining his fangs a delicious red.
Lilynette, still cowering behind a near by tree, stared wide eyed as the two creature's battled and fought. Blood trickled from wounds and began to sprinkle the white snow with turgid red droplets, mixing and churning as they struggled to turn it into a mocking, delicate pinkish color. Whom bore more wounds was impossible for the she wolf to tell for certain, though Baraggan had more visible lacerations, the shredded edges of his flesh glistening wetly in the moon light. There was no doubt he would have more scars to add to his hide after this battle.
Fierce snarling and threatening hissing filled the previously calm night of the darkened forest and insured that no other creature would venture near by, even as the scent of blood grew thick and heavy. The ground underfoot vibrated with weight and force of the battling beasts as they rolled and tumbled. They crashed into trees, breaking bark and tearing through dried brush.
The two larger beast's rolled about, slamming into the trunk of the tree Lilynette was crouching behind. She flinched, ducking away as the branches of the tree shook with the combined force and weight of the werecat and wolf. Scrambling a little further away, she continued to watch, unable to look away from the strange beauty that most battles held. Baraggan used his greater size and brute strength against the feline, the way most of the wolves that ever had the misfortune to fight the cat did, while Grimmjow's grace and fluid motions gave him a far greater speed than the older wolf could possibly hope to keep up with.
A big hand found it's way through the panther's defenses, pinning La Pantera against the tree they had stumbled against. Feline snarling rose in pitch as Baraggan pressed, wrapping thick fingers around the cat's throat as he pressed harder, snarling and attempting to crush the mighty werepanther's esophagus. Hooked, talon like claws dragged down the length of his arm, flaying the skin and tearing at muscle. The old male bared his teeth but stubbornly refused to release his hold over the smaller creature.
The snarling turned to a gurgling cough as Grimmjow bared his own teeth and fought to free himself. Lilynette seemed to snap from her stupor as she watched the feline's struggling slow and his fierce claws rip more shallowly into the traitorous wolf's flesh. She may not particularly like the feline, but he was her brother and Alpha's ally, and an undeniably valuable one at that. He had also saved her from what was undoubtedly going to be a ghastly fate at the hands of the cruel traitor. Without thinking, she reacted and threw herself at Baraggan.
The she wolf was small, but she was still a werewolf, a creature capable of being vicious and fierce in her own right and she certainly wasn't a coward. She snarled and sank her teeth into the muscle of the traitor's shoulder, the very arm that was pinning the cat to the tree and cutting off his oxygen. She grabbed hold and jerked at his arm, using powerful back legs to tug the much larger wolf away. She skidded and slid in the slick snow but she was determined and blood began seeping into her mouth as her fangs cut through meat and scrapped lightly at the scapula. She wasn't able to hold on long, the bigger male quickly releasing the feline to target her. As Baraggan surged around, she was thrown off and slid a few feet through the snow before scrambling back to her feet.
Growling his anger, the male wolf stalked toward the smaller wolf, an evil promise at her interference in his aged eyes. A horse howl had his head snapping around to see Grimmjow climb to his feet, wild, feral hatred and unbridled fury swirling in cold blue fire. The feline panted and staggered forward but seemed to be quickly regaining his strength. As much as he wanted to deal damage to the little she bitch, Baraggan knew that his chance to flee was upon him. The cat wouldn't chase after him just to catch up and risk running out of energy. He knew the feline to be too smart for that.
"This isn't over, cat!" The male snarled as he began backing away from the rising feline. "I wont make the same mistake twice, you'll die with your precious humans this time." A deep growl rumbling in his throat, Baraggan turned and fled into the night, weaving around trees as quickly as he could. Blood dripped from his serrated flesh but he was confident he wouldn't be hunted. As it was now, he feared blood loss more than attack and fled toward his makeshift den as quickly as his damaged body could carry him.
His first instinct was to give chase. No one dared threaten him. But the feline knew he couldn't run the risk of bumping into more of the mutt's followers in the forest. Grimmjow watched the mutt disappear before slowly sinking into a kneeling position on the snow. Panting, he bared his teeth as he checked the state of his own wounds. All things considered, he wasn't really all that injured, just had the wind knocked out of him. Quite throughly. His torn ear ached but he figured it'd be fine, he could still hear just fine and if anything, it would only add another scar, something he hardly worried about.
Head tilting ever so slightly, blue eyes rose to meet the she wolf's timid, wide orbs. She stared back at him, body tense as if ready to flee and her tail humbly tucked between her legs. Grimmjow couldn't help but chuckle. She was young but if she survived, maybe she wouldn't turn out so bad. Perhaps Starrk had been teaching her well after all.
"I think you should go home" Grimmjow said quietly, watching the way the young wolf flinched at his voice. After a moment, she nodded her agreement, a slow, hesitant motion,eyes never leaving his crouching form.
She took a step in the direction of the Pack's den before hesitating and looking back down at the still kneeling and panting feline. "T...Thanks" She said in a whisper before taking off at a swift pace, headed toward her den and safety.
Within moments she was gone from his line of sight and Grimmjow shook his head as he climbed to his feet. Oh, wasn't Ichigo and Shiro going to love hearing about this one... The feline blew out a sigh and headed toward the village again.
He set off in a loping, long stridden pace. It wasn't the same ground devouring pace he had arrived to the place of battle with, but it would still carry him fairly quickly back while letting him catch the rest of his lost breath. Minutes stretched by, the only sound was that of his quiet steps breaking the crust of the snow in the returned silence of the forest, it's inhabitants no longer deep in sleep, but now awake and hunkered down, hoping to be passed over by the enraged predators. The breeze had picked up, ruffling his thick, black fur and whistling through the tree branches.
Even though it had ceased snowing, the stars and moon were hidden behind thick, grey clouds and the feline expected more snow before the night was over.
Grimmjow easily cleared the low fence that marked the human village and didn't hesitate as he headed directly toward the house Ichi and Shiro were at, more than likely fully sated and sleeping peacefully, entangled within each other's arms. A slight smirk crossed feline features, the action stinging a cut along his jaw. Grimmjow slowed to a walk as he approached the human home. He veered as he approached, releasing his resurrection and shivering slightly as his thick fur peeled away and left him bare to the elements. He snagged the shorts from where he had left them but didn't bother donning them as he pushed the front door open and crept into the dark house.
He paused at the door way after shutting out the cold wind. He didn't bother locking the door, figuring they would be safe enough with him around to guard. All was quiet. Not the quiet that followed him around, the forced silence that followed a predator, but the comfortable silence that spoke of warm and restful sleep. He silently padded down the short hallway and gently eased the spare room door open. The light scent of sex mingled with the signature smell of the Caster and his copy and Grimmjow inhaled deeply as he closed the door behind him with a soft click of the latch.
True to his prediction, the two men were in a deep sleep, snuggled against one another, the blankets pulled up to cover the majority of their bare bodies. Shiro was laying on his stomach, his head resting on the Caster's shoulder and his white mane fanned out across the pillow. Ichigo lay on his back, his arms slung around his brother's shoulders with a small smile still tilting his delicate lips.
Grimmjow let a quiet, deep purr rumble in the silence, unable to help himself at the sight presented to him. He eased the covers back and began to slip into the bed, careful not to wake the sleeping men. Their heat and scent wrapped him tighter than any blanket could, letting him know all would be fine, letting him know that this was where he belonged.
As he lay in the dark, listening to the rhythmic, steady breathing of the humans and their nearly synchronized heart beats, blue brows pulled together in a frown that contrasted with the peaceful mood of the room.
The mutt's words came back to him in the silence of the red headed human's home; foreboding and filled with ill omens.
'...you'll die with your precious humans this time...'
He fell into a restless sleep filled with visions of blood and the sounds of vicious, desperate battle and screaming. Monsters and humans alike littered his dreamscape, bodies laying twisted and mangled in pools of blood and stained snow. Some screamed in agony, some in fear, others in despair. Flashes of cruel fangs and tearing claws, silver plated hand guns and elaborate robes. Glimpses of a silver blade held in skilled hands and violet, dull eyes, of dying men and women. Of red smeared, white hair and pain filled brown eyes.
Foreboding, no?
Well, what did you think? Let me know!